The Survey on the Official Language Minority Population (SOLMP) is a postcensal survey of the English-speaking population in Quebec and the French-speaking population elsewhere in Canada. The data will provide a better understanding of the current situation of official language minorities regarding issues such as education and access to various services in the minority language (for example health care or legal services), as well as language practices in daily activities at home, at work and in the public sphere. The results of the survey will be used to improve access to services for Canadians in the official language of their choice.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes. In addition, information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used.
Collection period:
Provinces: From May 16 to October 30, 2022
Territories: From August 22 to November 30, 2022
Collection methods:
Electronic questionnaire, telephone interview and personal interview
Survey participation:
Voluntary
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with data from the 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about
- language skills
- education
- early childhood services
- sense of belonging
- use of language in the public sphere
- health services
- government services
- arts and culture
- labour market participation.
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
Survey-specific questions
- What is the Survey on the Official Language Minority Population and what is its purpose?
- How was I selected to participate?
- Why should I participate in this survey?
- Why did Statistics Canada send me multiple emails within a short period of time?
- Why am I receiving an email from Statistics Canada about a survey before I even received the letter?
- Why are there questions related to COVID-19?
- How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
- How and when will I be able to get the survey results?
What is the Survey on the Official Language Minority Population and what is its purpose?
The Survey on the Official Language Minority Population (SOLMP) is a national survey that collects information about the English-speaking population in Quebec and the French-speaking population in the other provinces and territories.
It's important to understand the needs and experiences of Canada's English- and French-speaking minorities.
The responses will provide valuable insight on ways to improve services offered in the official language of your choice, such as, schools, early childhood education, health care and government services, arts and culture initiatives, and more.
How was I selected to participate?
You were selected based on the answers you provided in the 2021 Census as you met one of the criteria below:
- You are an adult who is a member of either the English-speaking population living in Quebec or the French-speaking population living elsewhere in Canada.
- You have a child and you are a member of either the English-speaking population living in Quebec or the French-speaking population living elsewhere in Canada.
- A child in your family is eligible for instruction in the minority official language because of the mother tongue or language of instruction of a member of your family.
Why should I participate in this survey?
Your participation makes a difference!
It's important to understand the needs and experiences of Canada's English and French-speaking minorities.
Your responses will provide valuable insight on ways to improve services offered in the official language of your choice, such as, schools, early childhood education, health care and government services, arts and culture initiatives, and more.
Why did Statistics Canada send me multiple emails within a short period of time?
Some households were recently sent multiple emails regarding our Survey on the Official Language Minority Population. This was due to a technical problem with Statistics Canada's collection system. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. Please note that an interviewer may contact you in the coming weeks to follow-up on the questionnaire.
Why am I receiving an email from Statistics Canada about a survey before I even received the letter?
Due to a technical problem with Statistics Canada's collection system, some respondents received an invitation to participate in the Survey on the Official Language Minority Population by email. This was meant to be a reminder email, to be sent at a later date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. The issue is being investigated and all future emails have been temporarily suspended. Please note that an interviewer may contact you in the coming weeks to follow-up on the questionnaire.
Why are there questions related to COVID-19?
Certain questions, pertaining to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to information and services in the official language of choice, will be used to determine whether the pandemic can explain certain changes observed compared to 2006.
How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information you provide will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act.
Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you or your household.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
How and when will I be able to get the survey results?
The results of the survey will be released in The Daily, Statistics Canada's official bulletin. The Daily is available on our website at Statistics Canada.
The first results should be available in 2024-2025.